Keep it safe, simple when learning to surf

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Three-time international surf champ Corky Carroll answers your questions each week. Hit him up at corkysurf@aol.com:

Q.
I am a beginner surfer. I have had a few lessons now and am ready to purchase my first board. My question to you is what would be the best fin arrangement for me. I am 40 and 190 pounds, in reasonably good condition. I have been told to get a longboard around 91/2 feet long. I see that some boards have three fins. I'm thinking that might be sort of like training wheels on a bike. Is that more stable?

A. It is not like training wheels and does not make the board more stable. My honest opinion for a beginner and for the most part for a board that size, which is a good size for you by the way, is a single-fin arrangement and use a big center fin moved all the way forward in the fin box. One fin is two less things to hit you, and you will not be able to tell the difference in how the board rides until you have some years of experience. Also, there is a fin called a “Protec,” which has a flexible rubber-like edge around it that works great and is safer to use. I strongly recommend getting one of those. Lastly, stay with the lessons. Learning to surf is not easy and the more help you can get the better. Good luck.

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